Math problem very confusing

[Techno 5.0]

this is algebra fyi

im stuck on this math problem

5a - 10
a - 2

wat im trying to do is simplifly fractions
but my teacher didnt explain what to do if a variable was on the bottom so i need help
any ideas?

[ddunit]

Do you know the values?

[Techno 5.0]

@‡DDunit‡:

> Do you know the values?

no i dont

[kerii]

I kinda of suck at algerbra (seeing as how I've had to take it three times) but this is a lot easier than the stuff I have to do. I think you need to make the top match the bottom…

5(a-2)
    a-2

If you can give me some specifics on what it is your doing I'd be able to help you better.

[Harris6310]

Omg algebra is hard. How old are you?

[Techno 5.0]

and then cancel out leaving only 5?
well here is an example

2x + 2y
  4

im told to find the factors and simplify the problem

so id end up with

2(x + y)
  2(2)

then u cancel out the outside 2s

so ur left with

x +  y
2

@..::(:

> Omg algebra is hard. How old are you?

im 14

[kerii]

College level algebra is. You start getting into logs, polynomial graphing, and ect. and tell me it's easy. Math on any level can be hard. Unless your Einstein I don't want to hear a peep.

@ Ninja- I think that's right, but I sold my Algebra book last semester to pay a bill. I'll double check it and see.

[Harris6310]

lol same as me, but I'm doing surds at the moment and I forgot about fractions

[Techno 5.0]

kk i think thats right but wat bout

2x - 4
x^2 - 25

(the ^2 means to the second power)

this math could/would be easyer if my math teacher could explain it better

[kerii]

Yeah I know.  Ok since 25 can be written as 5^2 you can simplify the bottom and I think the top too. so it should end up something like this…

2x-2 (2 is the square root of 4)
X-5

You took out the ^2's

[Techno 5.0]

lol oops i wrote the wrong problem down xD

the 25 is supossed to be a 4

so 2x - 4
      x^2 - 4

im kinda loopy cuz its 2:10 am

[kerii]

Same principle. Look for the matching parts and try to take them out. :D

lol X= 2\. I just realized it.

2 * x -4/ x^2 -4 For both parts to match it would have to be 2, because 2x2-4= 2^2-4

[Techno 5.0]

so id cut the 4 out

2x
 x^2

[Techno 5.0]

@kerii:

> 2x2-4= 2^2-4

r u kidding me lol
wooow i didnt even notice that!

last problem then im off to bed

(x + 4)(2x + 1)
(1 + 2x)(x - 3)

[kerii]

Welcome to my life. :D to explain it in math–--

2x-4
X^2-4

2x-2
X-2
Take out the X-2, and that leaves you with 2

And when you plug it in it works :D

[Techno 5.0]

@kerii:

> Welcome to my life. :D

lol

@Ninja-Tech:

> (x + 4)(2x + 1)
> (1 + 2x)(x - 3)

for that problem
would it be
2X^2 + 1x + 8x + 4 = 2x^2 + 9x + 4
x - 3 + 2x^2 - 6x =    2x^2 - 7x - 3

[kerii]

No in that one your cross multiplying.

(x + 4)x(x - 3)/(2x + 1)x(1 + 2x)

X^2 -12/2x+2x

That one I'm not really sure about, give it a try and see if it looks like anything in your examples.

[Techno 5.0]

kk thx for the help :)

[kerii]

On second thought you might have that one right. You Foil'd it all out, I guess the only real advice I can give on that problem is to ask your teacher.